Automatic playing apparatus.



J. SOHWERTNER.

AUTOMATIC PLAYING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED M'AR.15,1911.

1,127,097. Patented Feb.2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

$51 abtoznca o W THE NORRIS PETERS C0,. PHOTGJJTHQ, WASHINGTON. D4 C.

UNITED STATES ETENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH SCHW'EBTNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB, BY DIRECT AND IVIESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HEERWAGEN COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC PLAYING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, Josnrn Sor-rwnnrnnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, county of New York, and

tate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Playing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic playing apparatus and they are primarily designed in connection with apparatus for automatic playing pianos.

Various objects of my invention are to provide an apparatus by means of which any note or notes may be accented and still have an apparatus which has comparatively few parts, takes up very little room, may be easily and cheaply manufactured, is extremely eflicient and economical in operation, and one in which the parts are easily accessible and can be readily removed and repaired.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a device of the class described, in which two or more pressures are used, one or more for solo work and one or more for accompaniment, and yet an apparatus which will be positive and accurate in its operation and in which there will be no sluggishness of the moving parts.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus in which the number of parts or devices for accentuating the various notes are decreased to a very great extent, thereby decreasing the cost of the entire apparatus and lessening the space which it takes up, the last consideration being one of very considerable importance.

Further objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear from the detailed description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the main parts of my improved automatic playing apparatus taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2'; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of certain parts taken on the line Hll of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1, 2 and 3 represent power pneumatics which act upon rods 4 to strike the members 5 in any usual or well known manner to operate the speaking devices of the piano or other instrument. The power pneumatics 1, 2 and 3 are stacked, as shown in Fig. 1 and are arranged to cause the operation of a series of speaking devices, each sounding a note a semi-tone from its neighbor.

6 represents a wooden member longitudinally arranged within the piano or other instrument, and which contains a plurality or series of wind passages or channels 7, one passage or channel for feeding or supplying each of the pneumatics 1, '2, 3, etc. As shown in the drawings, the wind passage '7 is connected with and feeds the power pneumatic 1, while the wind passage 8 may be considered as connected with and feeding the power pneumatic It will thus be seen that there are a plurality of power pneumatics corresponding to a series of speaking devices a semitone apart and a wind passage feeding each pneumatic. These wind passages 7, 8, etc, are arranged in a substantially horizontal plane in the member 6. Leading from the wind passage 7 is a wind duct or port 9, which is adapted to connect the wind passage 7 to the external atmosphere. Leading from the wind passage 8 is a duct or port 10 which is adapted to connect the wind passage 8 with the external atmosphere. The other wind passages are similarly provided. Below the member 6 and wind passages 7, 8, etc., is a wind chest 11, extending horizontally. The wind passage 7 is connected with the wind chest 11 by means of a wind duct or port 12, and the wind passage 8 is connected with the chest 11 by means of a duct or port 13. Operating within the port 9 is a valve closure 11, arranged to open and close said port, and arranged within the port 12 is a valve closure 15 arranged to open and close said port. The valve closures 14 and 15 are carried by a spindle 16 which extends vertically through said ports and through the wind passage 7. The ports 10 and 13 are similarly provided, as shown in Fig. 1. lVhen the spindle 16 is raised, the valve closure 1 1 is arranged to close the port 9 and open the port 12, and when the spindle 16 is lowered or dropped the valve closure 14: leaves the port 9 open and closes the port 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the valve closure 14 is at one side of the passage 7 and above the same and operates in an enlargement of said port. Likewise, the valve closure 15 is outside of the passage 7 and below the same and operates in an enlargement of the port 12.

The spindle 16 and its valve closures are operated by a diaphragm pneumatic 17, having an operating membrane 18. One side of the operating membrane 18 is always exposed to atmospheric pressure, as shown in Fig. 1. For exhausting the air on the other side of the membrane 18, a duct 19 leads therefrom to an air chamber 20. The air chamber 20 is provided with an opening 21 leading to the atmosphere and an opening 22 leading to a wind trunk 23. Within the chamber 20 I provide a valve closure 24, which, when in its lower position, closes the opening 22 and leaves the opening 21 open, and when in its upper position closes the opening 21 and leaves the opening 22 open. The valve closure 24 is carried by an operating spindle 25 operated by a diaphragm pneumatic 26, which receives its air through a duct 27 from the tracker 28 in any well known manner. A similar pneumatic 29 is provided for the next secondary pneumatic like the pneumatic 17 and corresponding to a speaking device a semi-tone up or down in the scale.

The wind chest 11 is divided up into separate wind compartments 30 by means of diagonal partitions 31.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the ports 12 and 13, corresponding to speaking devices a semi-tone apart, both enter into the same wind-chest compartment 30. Each wind chest compartment 30 has in its bottom an opening or port 35, which leads into a wind trunk 36, supplied with air at high pressure or interchangeable pressure or tension in any well known manner. A valve closure 37 is arranged when in its lowermost position to close the opening 35. The valve closure 37 is carried by a spindle 38 operated by a pneumatic 39, supplied with air through a controlling duct 40. Each wind chest compartment 30 also has an opening 41, leading to a low pressure or interchangeable pressure or tension wind trunk 42, supplied or fed in any well known manner. That is normally each wind trunk 36 and 42 has a substantially constant but difierent pressure maintained therein. The valve closure 43 is arranged to close the opening or port 41 when in its uppermost position and arranged to leave said passage open when in its lowermost position. The valve closure 43 is operated by a pneumatic 44, also supplied with air through the wind duct 40, which supplies the pneumatic 39. The duct 40 extends into block 45, where it branches, one branch 46 extending to the atmosphere and another branch 47 extending to a wind chest 48 properly exhausted. Pivoted on top of the block 46 is a member 49 carrying a valve closure 50. Also carried by the member 49 is a spindle 51, carrying on its lower part a valve closure 52, arranged to close the branch 46. The valve closure 50 is arranged to close the branch 46. The valve closure 52 is held upon the spindle 51 against a stop 53 by means of a spring 54. I t will therefore be seen that when the member 49 is raised either manually or otherwise, the valve closure 50 opens the branch 46 so that external air enters the duct 40 and the valve closure 52 closes the branch 47 to the exhaust in wind chest 48, the spring 54 allowing the valve closure 52 to slide downwardly on the spindle 51 when the valve closure 52 is pressed against its seat.

The striking rods 4 are provided on their upper ends with flexible elastic rubber heads 55, which fit tightly over the rods 4. The rubber heads 55 are hollow, as shown, and provided therein with a central opening 56. They are also provided with a recessed part 57, which fits over the end of the rod 4. The rod 4 in its upper end is provided with an opening 58 which registers with the opening 56 in the rubber head, so that the hollow portion of the rubber head may be connected with the outside atmosphere, as shown. lVithin the opening in the rubber head is a round ball or shot 59, which normally rests over the opening 56. It will be seen that when the rods 4 are quickly moved upward to strike the members 5, the rubber head 55 is compressed, thus compressing the air within the chamber in the rubber head, the shot 59 closing the opening 56 so that an air cushion is formed which strikes the member 5; This gives the desired amount of resiliency to the action of the striking parts, causing the keys to be struck more sharply, as desired. WVhen the rods 4 are released any air which may have been squeezed out of the rubber head 55 may be admitted through the openings 55 and 56, pushing the ball 59 upwardly.

The operation of my apparatus is as follows: The opening in the tracker sheet registering with the duct 27, external air rushes into the duct 27 under atmospheric pressure and operates the pneumatic 26 in a well known manner. This causes the valve closure 24 to move upwardly, closing the opening 21 and opening the duct 19 to the suction within the chamber 23. This exhausts the air from the pneumatic 17 through the duct 19, causing the valve closures 14 and 15 to be raised. The valve closures 14 and 15 therefore close the port 9 to the external atmosphere and open the port 12 to the wind chest 11. Therefore whatever degree of suction there is present in the wind chest 11 or its compartment 30, will be applied to the wind passage 7, which, in turn, will exhaust the power pneumatic 1 and cause it to sound its corresponding speaking device. The other notes of the scale may be sounded in a like manner by co responding parts. As so far described, it has been assumed that the exhaustion within the wind chest 11 and its compartment 30 is low, that is, it is exhausted by the low pressure wind trunk 42 through the opening 41. It, now, it is desired to accent the note corresponding to power pneumatic 1, the member 49 is raised, thus raising the valve closure 50 and stopping the exhaustion of the wind duct 40 through the passage 47 and wind trunk 48 and opening the wind duct 40 to the external atmosphere. The external air then rushes into the wind duct 40 under atmospheric pressure and causes both of the pneumatics 39 and 44 to raise their valve seats 37 and 43. This is due to the exhaustion in the wind trunks 36 and 42. This action therefore closes the opening 41 and opens the wind passage 35, so that the wind chest 11 or its compartment 30 is now exhausted from the high pressure wind trunk 36. This produces a much greater exhaustion in the compartment 30 which feeds the main passage 7, so that the power pneumatic 1 is operated with much greater force than before and the corresponding note is accented.

In order to cut down the large number of parts in an apparatus of this kind, I provide a single compartment 30 for each two power pneumatics or wind passages corresponding to adjacent notes in the scale, that is, notes which differ by a semi-tone. It will therefore appear that whenever one of the members 49 is raised, thereby throwing high pressure into its corresponding compartment 30, that two adjacent notes would be accented, arovided such two notes were being played simultaneously. But since it practically never, if ever, happens, that two notes di'ltering merely by a semi-tone are played simultaneously, it will appear that the apparatus is just as satisfactory as though a separate compartment 30 were provided for each wind passage 7, 32, etc. However, by allowing each compartment 30 to feed two wind passages 7, 33, or the like, I am enabled to cut down by one half the number of solo controlled devices 49, 50, etc., as well as a number of wind oucts 40. I. am also enabled to cut down by one half the number of valve closures 37 and 43 and their operating pneumatics. It will thus be seen that although I am able to accent any single note or pick out any single note to be accented without accenting any others, nevertheless, I have so cut down the side of the apparatus that only half the number of a large number of the parts which would ordinarily be required, are used in the apparatus, and this is done by having each compartment of the wind chest cooperate pneu matically with a group of power pneumatics, each group being so small in number as to permit of solo or thematic eii'ects being produced over substantially the whole range of note sounding or speaking devices. Furthermore, I have so arranged my wind passages 7 and their controlling valve closures that it is unnecessary to stack them. lhat is, I have arranged all of the wind passages 7 8, 32, etc., in substantially the same horizontal or longitudinal plane, thus avoiding stacking and taking up much more room than is necessary. In order to do this, I find that, as a practicable requirement, it is necessary that only about one-half inch be allowed tor each of the wind passages 7, 32, 8, etc. In order to get these wind passages in this space, allowing only about one-halt inch for each, I place the valve closures 14, etc., outside of or above the wind passages and the valve closures 15, etc., outside of and below the wind passages, so that the enlargements of the ports 9 and 12 in which the valve closures 14 and 15 operate, will not interfere with the adjacent wind passages 32 and 8, or the like. By the provision of this arrangement I am enabled to provide all of the wind passages 7, etc., with their operating valve closures 15, etc., in substantially the same horizontal plane, thus decreasing to a very great extent the amount of the apparatus and the space which it takes up. In order to do this, I find it advantageous to place the operating pneumatic 17 also outside of the passages 7, etc., and the wind chest 11 and on the op posite side of the passages 7, etc., from the wind chest 11, so that it in no way interferes with the operation of the valve closures 37 and .43. I further find it advantageous in this respect to provide the operating membrane 18 of the pneumatic 17 so that atmospheric pressure always acts upon one side of the same, while the duct 19 leads to an exhaust chamber 23 for exhausting the pneumatic to operate the same when desired. It is also of importance in decreasing the space taken up and causing the reliable operation of the solo device parts that the two valve closures 37 and 43 be operated simultaneously, by separate pneumatics 39 and 44, but both of the pneumatics 39 and 44 are controlled by the same wind duct 40 and valve closure 50.

Although I have described the wind trunks 36 and 42 as high and low pressure wind trunks respectively, both in the specification and claims, nevertheless I do not desire that such claims be limited only to the use oi? a higher pressure or tension in wind trunk 36 than in the wind trunk since the pressures or tensions in these wind trunks may be made interchangeable as will be clearly understood and in some instances the pressure in these two trunks may be the same. This may be desirable at certain stages in the playing.

Although I have described my improvenents in great detail, nevertheless, I do not desire to be limited to such details except as clearly pointed out in the appended claims, since many changes and modifications may well be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention in its broadest aspects.

Having fully and clearly described my improvements, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Automatic player mechanism, having in combination speaking devices, a power pneumatic for one speaking device, a power pneumatic for an adjacent speaking device, a pneumatic for each power pneumatic for controlling the admission thereto or exhaustion therefrom of air, a wind channel for each power pneumatic leading from the power pneumatic, each having an opening to the external atmosphere, a wind chest divided into compartments, one compartment for said two adjacent speaking devices, each of said channels having an opening into said compartment, a spindle carried by each of said controlling pneumatics, valve closures on each spindle for closing the opening to the atmosphere and opening the opening to the compartment, and vice-versa, said valve closures being arranged outside of said channel, one above and one below the channel, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, with an opening between the compartment and the high pressure trunk and an opening between the compartment and the low pressure trunk, a valve closure for each of said last two mentioned openings, a pneumatiofor each of said last two mentioned valve closures to operate the same to open one of said last two mentioned openings and close the other and vice versa, and a duct and valve closure for simultaneously controlling both of said last two mentioned pneumatics.

91. Automatic playing apparatus having speaking devices, two power pneumatics for two speaking devices asemitone apart, a wind passage for each pneumatic leading thereto, a wind compartment having ports to each of said passages, an independent valve closure for each of said ports for controlling the operation of said power pneumatics, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, each having a port to said compartment, and a valve closure for each. of said last two mentioned ports, and two pneumatics, one for operating each of said last two mentioned valve closures.

3. Automatic playing apparatus having speaking devices, two power pneumatics for two speaking devices a semitone apart, a wind passage for each pneumatic leading thereto, a wind compartment having ports to each of said passages, an independent valve closure for each of said ports for controlling the operation of said power pneumatics, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, each having a port to said compartment, and a valve closure for each of said last two mentioned ports, and two pneumatics, one for operating each of said last two mentioned valve closures and a duct and valve closure for simultaneously controlling the operation of said last two mentioned pneumatics.

4. Automatic playing apparatus having a power pneumatic and wind passage leading thereto, a wind compartment having a port leading to said passage, a valve closure for said port, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, each having a port to said compartment, a valve closure for each of said two last mentioned ports, and an operating pneumatic for each of saic last mentioned valve closures.

5. Automatic playing apparatus having a power pneumatic and wind passage leading thereto, a wind compartment having a port leading to said passage, a valve closure for said port, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, each having a port to said compartment, a valve closure for each of said two last mentioned ports, and an operating pneumatic for each of said last two mentioned valve closures, and a duct and valve closure for simultaneously controlling the operation of said last two mentioned pneumatics.

6. Automatic playing apparatus comprising speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics for a series of speaking devices a semitone apart, a high pressure wind trunk extending longitudinally, a low pres sure wind trunk extending longitudinally beside said high pressure wind trunk, a wind chest extending longitudinally above said trunks, said chest being divided into compartments, one compartment for each two power pneumatics corresponding to speaking devices a semitone apart, each compartment having two ports one leading from the top thereof one to each of said two power pneumatics, valve closures for said ports, and ports leading from each compartment to each wind trunl 7. Automatic playing apparatus comprising speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics for a series of speaking devices a semitone apart, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, each having a substantially constant but different pressure maintained therein, a wind chest, said wind chest being divided into compartments, each with a connection to the high pressure wind trunk and a connection to the low pressure wind trunk, and each compartment cooperating with a group of power too pneumatics, each group being so small in number as to permit of solo or thematic effects being produced over substantially the whole range of speaking devices, automatic valves for controlling the connections between the compartments and power pneumatics and manually controlled valves for controlling the connections between each compartment and the two wind trunks, whereby any power pneumatic may be wholly operated by connection with the high pressure wind trunk or wholly operated by connection with the low pressure wind trunk.

8. An automatic playing apparatus having speaking devices, a plurality oi power pneumatics for consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart, a plurality of wind passages, one for supplying each pneumatic, a wind chest on one side of said passages for supplying the same, valve closures for opening and closing the passages to the wind chest, and operating pneumatics for said valve closures on a difierent side of said passages from the wind chest, each of said operating pneumatics having besides avalve closure for opening and closing the passage to the wind chest, a valve closure closing and opening the passage to the external air, said valve closures being one on one side and the other on the other side of said wind passages, and said operating pneumatics having each a membrane which is always exposed to atmospheric pressure.

9. An automatic playing apparatus, having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics for consecutive speaking devices a seniitone apart, a plurality of wind passa es, one for supplying each pneumatic, said passages lying in substantially the same horizontal plane, a wind chest on one side of said plane and ports for supplying said passages from the wind chest, valve closures for opening and closing said ports to the wind chest and operating pneumatics for said valve closures on the opposite side of said plane and said passages from the wind chest.

10. An automatic playing apparatus.having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics for consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart, a plurality of wind passa es, one for supplying each pneumatic, said passages lying in substantially the same horizontal plane, a wind chest on one side of said plane and ports for supplying said passages from the wind chest. valve closures for opening and closing said ports to the wind chest, and operating pneumatics for said valve closures on the opposite side of said plane and said passages, from the wind chest, each of said operating pneumatics having an operating membrane which is always exposed to the atmospheric pressure on one side..

11. In an automatic playing apparatus, having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics for consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart, a plurality of wind passages, one for supplying each pneumatic, said passages lying in substantially the same plane, a wind chest on one side of said passages for supplying the same, valve closures for opening and closing the passages to the wind chest, and operating pneumatics for said valve closures on the opposite side of said passages from the wind chest, a high pressure and a low pressure wind trunk and means for opening the wind chest to the high pressure wind trunk and closing it to the low pressure wind trunk and vice versa.

12. An automatic playing apparatus, having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics for consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart, a plurality of wind passages, one for supplying each pneumatic, said passages lying in substantially the same horizontal plane, a wind chest on one side of said plane, ports for supplying said first mentioned passages from the wind chest, valve closures for opening and closing said ports to the wind chest and operating pneumatics for said valve closures on the opposite side of said plane and said passa es, from the wind chest, each of said operating pneumatics having an operating membrane which is always exposed to the atmospheric pressure on one side, a high pressure and a low pressure wind trunk and means for opening the wind chest to the high pressure wind trunk and closing it to the low pressure wind trunk and vice versa. said wind chest being di ided into a pluralitv oi compa tments, each compartment feeding a plurality of power pneumatics corresponding to consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart.

13. Automatic plaver mechanism, having in combination speaking devices, a power pneumatic for one speaking device. a power pneumatic for an adjacent speaking device, a pneumatic for each power pneumatic for controlling the admission thereto or exhaustion therefrom of air, a wind channel for each power pneumatic. each channel having an opening to the external atmosphere, a wind trunk divided into compartments. one compartment for said two adiacent speaking devices. each of said channels having an opening into said compartment. 21 spindle carried by each of said controlling pneumatics, valve closures on each spindle for closing the opening to the atmosphere and opening the opening to the compartment and vice versa. said valve closures be ing arranged o tside of said channel. one above and one below the channel, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk, with an opening between the compartment and the high pressure trunk and an. opening between the compartment and the low pressure trunk, a valve closure for each of saidv last twomentioned openings, a pneumatic for each of said last two mentioned valve closuresto operate the same to open one of said last two mentioned openings and close the other and vice versa, and a duct and valve closure for simultaneously controlling both of said last. two mentioned pneumatics, said controlling pneumatics being on the opposite side of the wind channels from the wind chest and each operating pneumatic having an operating membrane,

' one side of which is always exposed to atmospheric pressure, and a primary pneumatic for each operating pneumatic and controlling thev exhaustion of air from the other side of the membrane of the operating pneumatic.

14. In a musical instrument, aplurality of note sounding or speaking devices, a pneumatic controlling the operation of. each of said devices, ahigh pressure wind trunk and a. low pressure wind; trunk, each having a: substantially constant but difierent. pressure maintained therein, a wind chest divided into compartments, each compartment having a connection with each. wind trunk, whereby each controlling pneumaticmay be operated wholly from the high pressure wind trunk or wholly from thelow pressure wind trunk, and each. compartment cohperating pneumatically with a group of said first mentioned pneumat'ics, each group being so small in number as to permit solo or thematic effects to bev produced over substantially the whole range of note sounding devices;

15. An automaticplaying apparatus, having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics: corresponding to consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart, a divided wind'chest for feeding: said pneumatics, a highpressure: wind trunk and a low. pressure wind trunk, with ports between each and'the wind chest, a valve closure corresponding to each-port controlling the connection between the low pressure trunk and the chest, a: valve closure corresponding to each. port controlling the connection betweenthe high pressure trunk and the chest,

a. pneumatic for each of said valve closures and: a duct and valve closure for simultaneously controlling both of said first two mentioned valve closures.

16. An automatic playing apparatus, having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics corresponding to consecutive speaking devices a semitone apart, a divided'windchest for feeding said pneumatics, a high pressure wind trunk and a low pressure wind trunk with ports between each and the wind chest, a valve closure corresponding to each port for controlling the connection between the lowpressure trunk and. the chest, a. valve. closure. corresponding to each port controlling the connection between the high pressure trunk and the chest, a pneumatic for each of said valve closures and a duct and valve closure for simultaneously controlling both of said first two mentioned valve closures to raise one and open its. connection and raise the other to close its connection simultaneously and vice versa.

17. An automatic playing apparatus having speaking devices, a plurality of power pneumatics, a wind chest, ports and passages connecting the wind chest with the power neumatics, said wind chest being divided into a plurality of compartments, one compartment for each two portscorresponding to speaking devices a semi tone apart, and all of said ports entering said chest in one face thereof.

18. An automatic playing apparatus having speaking devices, power pneumatics, a series of passages leading to said power pneumatics said passages lying-in part side by side between given parallel planes, a set of secondary valves controlling said passages, one for each passage, said valves being located in a plane outside of but substantially parallel to said given planes, alternate valves being staggered with relation to each other to form two rows of valves.

19. An automatic playing apparatus having speaking devices, power pneumatics, a series of passages leading to said power pneumatics said passages lying in part side by side between given parallel planes, two series of secondary valves controlling said passages, said valves being locatedin planes outside of but substantially parallel to said given planes, alternate valves being staggered with relation to each other to form two rows of valves lying in separate planes substantially at right angles to said first mentioned planes.

20. An automatic'playing apparatus having a tracker and music. sheet, a pluralityof power. pneumatics, a wind chest, a passage extending between each pneumatic and the wind chest, a valve for opening and closing each passage to the wind. chest, said wind chest being divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment cotiperating with a group of power pneumatics, each group beingso small in number as to permit ofv solo or thematic effects being produced over substantially the whole range of speaking devices, two wind trunks, a port fromeach wind trunk to each compartment, a valve for each port for opening and closing the same and means operating independent of the tracker and music sheet for opening one valve and closing the other valve: to each compartment simultaneously.

21. In a musical instrument, a plurality of note; sounding or speaking devices, a pneumatic controlling the operation ofeach of said devices, a high pressure Wind trunk and a low pressure Wind trunk, each having a substantially constant but different pressure maintained therein, a Wind chest divided into compartments, each compartment having a connection With each Wind trunk, whereby each controlling pneumatic may be operated Wholly from the high pressure Wind trunk or Wholly from the low pressure Wind trunk, means independent of the tracker bar and music sheet for connecting any of the compartments With either of the Wind trunks, Whereby some of the said pneumatics will be operated With greater force than others, and each compartment cooperating pneumatically With a group of said first mentioned pneumatics, each group being so small in number as to permit solo or thematic effects to be produced over substantially the Whole range of note sounding devices.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JUSEPH SCEHVERTNER.

Witnesses:

GORIIAM Cnosnr, EDWIN Snenn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

ion in Letters Patent No. 1,127,097..

Correct It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,127,097, granted February 2, 1915, upon the application of Joseph Schwertner, of New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Automatic Playing Apparatus, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 71, for the reference numeral 46 read 47; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of February, A. D., 1915.

[SEAL] J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Umnmztsz'oner of Patents.

ion in Letters Patent No. 1,127,097.

Correct It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,127,097, granted February 2,

1915, upon the application of Joseph Schwertner, of New York, N. Y., for an improvement in Automatic Playing Apparatus, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 71, for the reference numeral 46 read 47,-and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of February, A. D., 1915.

[SEAL] J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

